Boston College Athletics
Women's Soccer Ready For 2003 Campaign
August 22, 2003 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 22, 2003
The 2003 Boston College Women's Soccer team returns three of their top four scorers from a year ago, as well as the majority of a defensive unit that helped hold the opposition to just 1.06 goals per game. In addition, the Eagles are much more experienced across the board. After bringing in 14 newcomers a year ago, Head Coach Alison Foley's squad is well ahead of where it was at the start of last season.
"Bringing in such a big class last year, it took a lot longer for everyone to get adjusted," Foley said. "It takes a year to truly understand how to play at this high a level and play for each other, but with everyone having that one more year of experience, we've established great camaraderie. I think that's going to be a big key to our success."
That camaraderie will be especially important given the depth that Foley's squad possesses this year. From day one of preseason, players will be vying for starting jobs.
"We've been hit with injuries in recent years and that limits what you can put out on the field," said Foley. "But with nearly everyone coming back healthy, this will be as competitive a year for playing time as we've ever had."
The Eagles lost four seniors to graduation but with a solid core of returnees ready to step in and take over leadership roles, as well as one of the most talented recruiting classes in the program's history, Foley is confident that her team will not miss a beat.
"We have excellent senior leadership," the coach said. "We're ready to get back to the NCAA Tournament and we expect to do that, but we know that we control our own destiny."
The team's leadership will stem from the three returning seniors: Rebecca Brooke and Lauren Vanni, as well as two-time All- BIG EAST First Team selection Sarah Rahko. Brooke and Vanni are expected to anchor the team's defensive unit, while Rahko should continue to be one of the BIG EAST's most dangerous midfielders. "Sarah just keeps getting better and better and she's excited to be the engine of this team," said Foley. Sophomore goalkeeper Kate Taylor will join Brooke and Vanni as the squad's tri-captains. Foley and her staff will need the team's newcomers to step right in and make an impact and with this crop of talent, they have reason to be confident. The Eagles' recruiting class was ranked 24th in the nation and second in the northeast by Soccer Buzz magazine.
GOALKEEPERS "We're in a great situation with our goalkeeping," said Foley. "I believe we have the best two goalkeepers in the nation. They're going to battle for the job throughout the season. It will be a healthy competitive environment."
Sophomore captain Kate Taylor and junior Elyse Meredith have both experienced success as the starting goalkeeper for the Eagles, but what makes them an even more effective combination is the diversity of their strengths. Taylor has tremendous distribution skills, with both her hands and her feet, and she knows how to initiate the attack from the box. Meredith's strength is her stopping ability. She is brilliant in one-on-one situations and against the penalty kick. Foley stresses that the two of them have a great relationship both on and off the field and she expects them to push each other to excel all season long. Sophomore newcomer Jessica Briody will be a formidable third option in the net.
BACKS Foley hopes the team will generate their attack starting from the back, as the technical ability of the squad's defenders has improved
"We wanted to add speed with this class to improve our ability to go at the opposing midfield and attack out of the backfield," said Foley. "We have some great athletes coming in, so our backs will be very solid both defensively and on the attack."
Look for the backfield attack to begin on the outsides, where a pair of freshmen will vie for some significant playing time. Mary Schneck could see a lot of time at the left outside back position. Her aggressiveness around the ball and her ability in the air will make her a dangerous option in the backfield. On the opposite side, fellow freshman Molly Dane brings great transferring skills, as well as being a quick and tenacious one-on-one defender. Sophomore Lindsey McArdle, with her ability to dominate play in the air, is extremely tough on crosses in the box and could emerge as one of the best defenders in the BIG EAST. Senior tri-captain Rebecca Brooke will add solid experience to the squad and Foley will depend on her technical skill and on-field leadership to anchor the defense.
Junior Caity Stevens, with her tackling and air skills, will compete for time in the backfield as well. Sophomore April Millado is coming back from a knee injury, but she will also be in the rotation, along with junior Amanda Kearns, a superb technical defender. Redshirt freshman Meighann Recile will also see playing time at both back and midfielder.
MIDFIELDERS Senior Sarah Rahko will hold the Eagle midfield together. Her 10 assists in 2002 were far and away the most on the team and the squad will run their offense through her.
"I think Sarah is the best center midfielder in the conference, maybe even in the country," Foley said. "We'll look for her to continue to make plays and find the seams."
Freshman Heather Ferron should see some action next to Rahko in the middle. Ferron possesses tremendous field vision and exceptional ability to execute difficult passes. On the outsides, look for senior tri-captain Lauren Vanni to be a major player. Foley calls her the most fit player on the squad and she understands her role on the field as well as any player in the conference. Freshman Jenny Maurer will be a solid option as an outside midfielder. She serves terrific crosses and her work ethic makes Foley confident that she can step right into a significant role. Junior Laina Ceddia, the team's leading returning scorer, will be a regular in the midfield as well. She is the team's fastest player and her ability to get in behind the defense and draw their attention away from the ball makes her an effective weapon in the offensive end.
Junior Rebecca Miller is expected to miss some time due to injury, but the Eagles still have great depth in the midfield. Junior Erin Docherty will also make a bid for significant playing time after battling injury problems a season ago and sophomore Meghan Nadolski will be a viable option as well. Two more freshmen, Jillian Raybould and Katie West, round out one of the best midfields in the BIG EAST.
FORWARDS The Eagles will boast even more experience on their forward line than they bargained for with the addition of senior transfer Beth Totman. Foley is excited to have Totman, who was a Second Team All-Ivy selection at Harvard before coming to BC this fall.
"Beth is one of the best scorers in New England," the coach said. "She likes the pressure of being the 'go-to' person with the game on the line and we'll look for her to be that."
Joining Totman on the front line will be sophomore Katie McGregor, who is a former summer league teammate of Totman's, lending an established chemistry to the Eagle attack. McGregor's quickness and finishing ability, combined with her aggressive play, offer the Eagles a lot of different options on the attack. Sophomore Kelly Lavery is a deceptively quick forward who should also see some time on the front line and junior Kristin Goddard, who may play a bit in the backfield, will also be used as a forward because of her ability to hold off opposing defenders.
"This team played its best toward the end of last season," said Foley. "And with the experience they've gained, I know they'll only continue to get even better this year. Part of what makes you go out there and fight every day is understanding the level of competition we play at. These kids understand that now and they won't accept a loss, or even a tie. They're determined to win every time they step out there."
